Physiological Basis for Politics

My political leanings have varied quite a bit over the years. When I was very young, I was rather liberal I suppose, but in my 20s and through most of my 30s I was very conservative. At this point in my life, I am unclassifiable. I try to look at issues non-ideologically. I am pro 2nd amendment, pro choice, and very libertarian in some regards. When it comes to economic issues I sometimes get confused with a marxist or a free-market republican, depending on the issue. For example, pro nationalized health care, pro sending bankers to jail, anti bail out, anti union, pro labor and I want to bring back Johnson's Great Society.

I think that people take positions on issues simply because of the party that they affiliate themselves with. For example, if you're a Republican, you will more likely take a pro-life (as an example) stance than not, even though you may not have a very well formed opinion, or even care. Your party affiliation will push you into a position. It's the same if you're a Democrat.

I think most of the people here tend to stray outside of their "party lines" and come to their own conclusions, which is one of the things I like about the group here. People are, for the most part, pretty open minded and willing to look at issues from different sides.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by joesixpack

My political leanings have varied quite a bit over the years. When I was very young, I was rather liberal I suppose, but in my 20s and through most of my 30s I was very conservative. At this point in my life, I am unclassifiable. I try to look at issues non-ideologically. I am pro 2nd amendment, pro choice, and very libertarian in some regards. When it comes to economic issues I sometimes get confused with a marxist or a free-market republican, depending on the issue. For example, pro nationalized health care, pro sending bankers to jail, anti bail out, anti union, pro labor and I want to bring back Johnson's Great Society.

I think that people take positions on issues simply because of the party that they affiliate themselves with. For example, if you're a Republican, you will more likely take a pro-life (as an example) stance than not, even though you may not have a very well formed opinion, or even care. Your party affiliation will push you into a position. It's the same if you're a Democrat.

I think most of the people here tend to stray outside of their "party lines" and come to their own conclusions, which is one of the things I like about the group here. People are, for the most part, pretty open minded and willing to look at issues from different sides.

---

Interesting viewpoint Joe. I personally tend to be very conservative on most issues. On some issues I am so conservative I make Rush Limbaugh look like the grand marshal at a gay pride parade. But I have a very libertatian political attitude becasue I appreciate the diversity of thought and beliefs we have int his country. The older I get the more I beleive there is a growing list of things Gov has no business legistlating. I stopped identifying myself by political party many years ago and for the last many elections (both local and national) I have felt like I was choosing the lesser of two evils rather than actually supporting a particular candidate or party.

I am just the opposite. I try to look at issues idealogically becasue I do beleive that some things are right and wrong. That being said, a balance needs to be drawn between the two. Pure ideology can lead to facism but so can pure pragmatism. Either taken to the extreme can lead to government oppresion over part of the citizenship. I think that is why our country has become as polarized as it is. both sides have forgotten to give the other a little space and thrive through the politcal machine to force their values ont eh rest fo the country.

THats why I beleive a lot of these issues should be hands off by the feds and left to the states or local comunities to decide for themselves.

Ray

ps anyone know how to turn the spellcheck on in windows 7?